The Six Scriptures About Homosexuality In The Bible And What They Really Say
Originally published on upworthy.com
The bible is a powerful weapon used by Christians and non-Christians alike to condemn homosexuality. Once the subject comes up, most antigay people dash to ready-made bible verses to support their condemnation of the LGBT.
Well, here’s a representation of Matthew Vines’ interpretation of these scriptures, while contextualizing them (because we all know that Scriptures out of context can cause misinterpretation at best and D-R-A-M-A at worst). There’s a video below and a quick overview of the six specific passages that Vines presents:
The Story of Sodom & Gomorrah (Genesis 19)
This story in Genesis 19 is probably the most popular passage used to condemn homosexuality. Here is how Vines explains it:
“God sends two angels disguised as men into the City of Sodom where the men of Sodom threatened to rape them. The angels blind the men, and God destroys the city. For centuries, this story was interpreted as God’s judgment on same-sex relations, but the only form of same-sex behaviour described is a threatened gang rape.”
So gang rape = not good (also not the same thing as homosexuality). But the recap of Sodom & Gomorrah found in Ezekiel 16:49 highlights what Vines believes is the real point of the story:
“Now, this was the sin of your sister, Sodom. She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned, they did not help the poor and needy.”
In other words, everyone using this story as evidence of the sin of homosexuality might be missing the point entirely.
When God calls homosexuality an abomination (Leviticus 18:22) (Leviticus 20:13)
Yep. We’ve all heard that Leviticus is where the Bible straight-up says that homosexual behaviour is an abomination. And yes, it does. It also says that homosexuals should receive the death penalty (!!!). It also says the same thing about eating pork or shellfish, charging interest on loans, and a whole bunch of other restrictions that were a part of the Old Testament Law Code. But for Christians, the Old Testament doesn’t (dare I say “shouldn’t?”) settle any issue because Romans 10:4 says that Christ is the end of the law. Which is probably why most Christians today eat meat, use credit cards, wear makeup, and support equality for women. Because, as Hebrews 8:13 says, the old law is obsolete and aging.
When people turn away from God (Romans 1:26-27)
“Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones; in the same way, men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
This is where Vines really digs in on the cultural context angle. In Biblical times, same-sex behaviour was primarily seen as happening between adult men and adolescent boys (masters and servants — yikes), via prostitution, and by men who were married to women. In all of those cases, we can see why it would have been viewed as sinful, excessive, lustful, and against God’s law. But he makes no mention of love, commitment, faithfulness, or the type of same-sex relationships that are at question in the debate around marriage. (By the way, Paul also says that men having long hair is “unnatural” and that women shouldn’t speak in church, so it’s clear Paul himself may have had some issues of his own.)
Uses of the Greek works “Malakoi” and “Arsenokoitai” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) (1 Timothy 1:10)
These words are included in the New Testament’s lists of people who will not inherit God’s kingdom. And there has been much debate over their original meaning. (Translating ancient words is hard, guys.) Some believe them to mean homosexuality and sodomy, whereas others have said that the closest modern translation would be “dirty old men.” Ha! Here’s how Vines explains it:
Many modern translators have rendered these terms as sweeping statements about gay people, but the concept of sexual orientation didn’t even exist in the ancient world. Yes, Paul did not take a positive view of same-sex relations (nor did he support women speaking in church…), but the context he was writing in is worlds apart from gay people in committed, monogamous relationships. The Bible never addresses the issues of sexual orientation or same-sex marriage, so there’s no reason why faithful Christians can’t support their gay brothers and sisters.
Fascinating, right?
If you’d like to learn more and hear Matthew Vines’ story, check out the video above and his book “God and the Gay Christian.”
About author
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29 Comments
QueerMike
July 19, 05:56WoW
Dennis Macaulay
July 19, 06:09The truth is that no matter what you say Christians will always defend their holy book and continue to use it to main and kill!
I don’t get into this argument anymore, wait of time. Its like arguing with a crack head; they can’t see past the cocaine
Francis
July 19, 06:24If you talk too much them go say you’re twisting the holy book to support your perversive ways. Lol
Nna no time. Once you carry bible enter any argument with me, I check out in a flash.
Tiercel de Claron
July 19, 08:01On what occasions have Christians used the Bible as basis to maim and kill,pray tell?.
pete
July 19, 06:12I feel a headache developing
Tiercel de Claron
July 19, 07:11Pele
#TeamKizito
July 19, 06:17Hmmm.
Masked Man
July 19, 06:43Homosexual will burn and roast in he’ll. Simple!!!
Me, I’ve been delivered from this disease. It was not a small something. The demon was tough.
**walks off in jockstrap**
Church Better Have My Money.
Peak
July 19, 10:30LMAO! Chai Ndi KD!
Ezigbo church better have my money
Tiercel de Claron
July 19, 07:26I’d once dealt with this issue here,especially the first one of Sodom and Gomorrah being an attempted gang rape.Many translations say “men and women of the city,young and old”,while KJV says “men of the city,young and old”.The medieval English used in the KJV uses man,men to denote humanity no matter the gender.It’s in Ezekiel 16:49 that one finds the reason for the destruction of the cities of the plains and that is mum on homosexuality.
Of course,the nodcocks both sides,who would twist Gen 19 to suit their argument tend to forget that God had already determined the destruction of Sodom in Gen 18,before He sent the angels into the city,but only if they could not find at least 10 men who are righteous.
Colossus
July 19, 07:58Repent from your illuminati ways pinky, repent. If you don’t, God would destroy you the same way he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. With two very hot and sexy angels
Pink Panther
July 19, 08:37Can I ask for a sexier death, huh 🙂
Khaleesi
July 19, 08:53Nigerian Christians are for the most part, the most hypocritic and judgmental group you can ever hope(or dread) to meet, throw in a combination of genetically encoded homophobia and there’s absolutely nothing you can say or do that’ll ever change their hearts towards gays. These biblical books were written by men – claiming divine inspiration and reflecting the prevailing attitudes and thoughts of a time long gone by. It beats my imagination why several millennia later, any right thinking person would want to use outdated pieces of literature as the compass with which they plot their life journeys. Well, i dunno sha; all you opium addicted folk (within and outside the gaybourhood), have fun with all this crap and much good may it do you lot!
Sinnex
July 19, 11:13And the point of this post is what?
What about fornication?
Being gay is not really a problem.
The problem comes from what you do with your sexuality.
So, if you have sex with someone you are not married to, gay or not, you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
It is very easy to twist the Bible. That is why you need the Spirit to show you the way. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, you won’t go anywhere.
Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Max
July 19, 11:29So its clear youre not going to heaven then.
Why don’t you spread your cheeks and have fun then, since you’re going to hell anyway.
You don’t wanna lose out on both do you?
Sinnex
July 19, 12:50Suck my thick black cock.
Pink Panther
July 19, 16:42Hahahahaaa!!! All this sexual tension between Sinnex and Max though
Pink Panther
July 19, 16:37Gbagam! goes Sinnex’s evangelistic bell. 🙂
kacee
July 19, 11:21They(Nigeria Christians/Muslims) think the LGBT community is a sin,but adultery,fornication isn’t one, its just labelled as one of those things. *drops down on one knee*(God pls give me the strength and courage to stand up to some people one day,cos that day is coming soon and lagos as a whole is gonna hear about it)… Pretentious f**ks (nigerians)…mtchewww
Max
July 19, 11:25Ok I couldn’t finish watching the video. Right in the middle of it, I remembered why I stopped believing in all of this. And I was looking at the boy’s face, he looked troubled and in desperate need for acceptance by his church and bible which he holds dear.
I was born this way, and the very fact that the bible doesn’t acknowledge this, makes whatever it has to write about it null and void to me.
Tiercel de Claron
July 19, 11:51There’s a lot of conditions,physical or no,that the Bible doesn’t talk about,should that void its message in the view of those who have them too?.
Diablo
July 19, 11:27Too tired and sleepy to be pragmatic abt this, so whatever.
Pinky pls how far the mobile version of this site? Is it in the works? I miss using my emojis
Pink Panther
July 19, 16:41Please bear with me, Diablo. It is in the works.
ambivalentone
July 19, 11:35This is so going on my PM RIGHT NOW!!!! I loved the entirety of this. My enthusiasm only got a bit dampened when I saw Paul’s name come into the piece. The man can like to start to REALLY REALLY piss me off.
Chuck
July 19, 15:25I don’t see why people are so intent on being gay and Christian sha. If a religion or congregation or denomination doesn’t want you, must you force yourself on them? Go find a religion that doesn’t ban homosexuality
Tiercel de Claron
July 19, 17:18A religion like Islam,say?
Chuck
July 20, 13:10Islam bans it too, I’m afraid. Tough luck!
Heykins
July 19, 21:56There is no end to this issue as we all have conflicting opinions. Let sleeping dogs lie!
Ps: Pp, one down, 2 more to go.
Pink Panther
July 20, 00:23Lol. I see you, Heykins.